Canon Bernardinus de Salviatis with Three Saints

This panel (trimmed above) probably formed the left wing of a diptych or triptych. The possible right wing is the Crucifixion in Berlin.

The patron of the painting, Bernardijn Salviatis, was a canon at St Donatian’s church in Bruges. He is depicted with Sts Martin, Bernardino (his name saint), and Donatian (titular saint of his church. All of the figures face right, implying their devotion toward a central figure. The beggar in the background provides a saintly attribute of St Martin, who shared his cloak.